Monday 6th February 2012

Kia does an Evoque

Kia Trackster concept to offer Evoque-like style in a smaller, more wallet-friendly package

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Kia is teasing images of its Trackster concept ahead of a full unveiling later this week. And though a sporty SUV crossover thingy isn't perhaps as interesting to PHers as the Hyundai Veloster, it proves the Koreans are looking beyond value for money and extra-long warranties.

Based on the Soul, the Trackster promises a bit of Evoque-esque sportiness, which is timely given that we've just been out proving that, yes, dammit, these cars can be fun on track and off.

The Trackster has been designed in Kia's Californian studio, reflecting Stateside success for the blocky Soul crossover and a general growing confidence in Kia's American standing. As we discovered at the LA show, Kia is also dabbling in grassroots 'B-Spec' hot hatch racing and a more sporty image for the brand could be a smart move.

[James Dean]

Looks promising.

[Fire99]

James Dean said:

Looks promising.

[ktm301p]

As far as I can tell, KIA are kicking butt at the moment. Did anyone see their advert for the Superbowl last night? It was good, seriously good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHZbXvts0LE&lis...

[Stu R]

Seriously liking where Kia are going at the minute.

[Codswallop]

Sigh. Another lifestyle faux by faux. I detest the fact that the moajority of people would rather drive these kinds of things rather than sports cars, hence manufacturers don't bother with fun cars.

Oh to have been young in the 60's.

[hiscocks]

Codswallop said:

Sigh. Another lifestyle faux by faux. I detest the fact that the moajority of people would rather drive these kinds of things rather than sports cars, hence manufacturers don't bother with fun cars.

Oh to have been young in the 60's.

Living up to your username there I see!!!

[Omaruk]

The girl with the chequered flag. Awesome

[Twincam16]

hiscocks said:

Codswallop said:

Sigh. Another lifestyle faux by faux. I detest the fact that the moajority of people would rather drive these kinds of things rather than sports cars, hence manufacturers don't bother with fun cars.

Oh to have been young in the 60's.

Living up to your username there I see!!!

No, I see what he's getting at. Even though Kia are making some interesting cars, it is depressing that, ten to fifteen years ago most 'family' cars were saloons or big hatches, considered 'practical' but also with a sufficiently low centre of gravity to be fun to drive.

Nowadays for some reason it's deemed we all want to sit bolt-upright a foot or so away from the centre of gravity, with lots of gadgets to compensate for problems I don't actually have. I'm sick and tired of having to look at these great big mobile walls of metal in traffic jams, guessing what might be in front. I don't get the appeal at all, and judging by the terrible parking these cumbersome lumps are usually subjected to, I have a feeling a lot of people have bought them because the marketing department told them to, rather than actually thinking about precisely what they want in a car.

[EDLT]

Omaruk said:

The girl with the chequered flag. Awesome

Adriana Lima
Here is nearly five hours of her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrW68jCy9pc

[lionrampant]

Omaruk said:

The girl with the chequered flag. Awesome

That would be Adriana Lima.

[EDLT]

Twincam16 said:

hiscocks said:

Codswallop said:

Sigh. Another lifestyle faux by faux. I detest the fact that the moajority of people would rather drive these kinds of things rather than sports cars, hence manufacturers don't bother with fun cars.

Oh to have been young in the 60's.

Living up to your username there I see!!!

No, I see what he's getting at. Even though Kia are making some interesting cars, it is depressing that, ten to fifteen years ago most 'family' cars were saloons or big hatches, considered 'practical' but also with a sufficiently low centre of gravity to be fun to drive.

You're not wrong there.

One of the best selling cars at the time:


This new Korean rubbish could only dream of such greatness.

[kambites]

Yes but imagine how much worse that Vauxhall would have been if they'd built it on stilts like modern pseudo-offroaders.

Actually, I'm not sure that I can imagine how much worse it would have been.

[EDLT]

kambites said:

Yes but imagine how much worse that Vauxhall would have been if they'd built it on stilts like modern pseudo-offroaders.

Actually, I'm not sure that I can imagine how much worse it would have been.

As bad as the Frontera, probably. Although the Freelander, Rav4 and that Honda something-or-other were supposed to drive ok, and they existed 10-15 years ago. Or is that still 'nowadays' in TC16 land?

[8vFTW]

Aesthetically Kia have come a long way. It's just a shame they haven't had a crack at something sporty... yet.

[Buff Mchugelarge]

Stu R said:

Seriously liking where Kia are going at the minute.

I'd have to agree with you there. as long as they keep up the quality of the plastics and build they can't really lose

[Maldini35]

ktm301p said:

As far as I can tell, KIA are kicking butt at the moment. Did anyone see their advert for the Superbowl last night? It was good, seriously good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHZbXvts0LE&lis...

No doubt Kia are on the rise with some excellent new cars.
Not sure about that ad though - feels very old fashioned.
And where's the ambition?
If the fairy dust was sprinkled on me I'd hope to do a lot better in the dream stakes than a giant sandwich being sliced by some Muscle Mary Village People rejects and driving mid range Korean saloon around an oval.
(Winning in a D-type around the Brands GP circuit followed by all sorts of naughtiness with Scarlet Johansan in case you're interested)

This ad could be for any brand of car in the mid market. Nothing here to build on in marketing terms.

[Chicane-UK]

Looks like the W12 Golf concept that VW did.. just a bit bigger!

[paranha]

My New Fun Kia Picato 2---is a great replacement for the Aygo, with good road holding and its comfortable on all roads.7 year warranty -low cost value servicing---Koreans listen and will clean up.Watch the New designs over the next few years.

[Tom74]

Twincam16 said:

No, I see what he's getting at. Even though Kia are making some interesting cars, it is depressing that, ten to fifteen years ago most 'family' cars were saloons or big hatches, considered 'practical' but also with a sufficiently low centre of gravity to be fun to drive.

Nowadays for some reason it's deemed we all want to sit bolt-upright a foot or so away from the centre of gravity, with lots of gadgets to compensate for problems I don't actually have. I'm sick and tired of having to look at these great big mobile walls of metal in traffic jams, guessing what might be in front. I don't get the appeal at all, and judging by the terrible parking these cumbersome lumps are usually subjected to, I have a feeling a lot of people have bought them because the marketing department told them to, rather than actually thinking about precisely what they want in a car.

Or, some people may have thought about what they wanted, perhaps something along the lines of:

"Hmmm, new baby on the way, wife has a bad back, she needs a high car so not to bend too much, want it to be value for money and come with good warranty as its the family car and will keep for 5 years or so, I know we'll test drive loads on the market.....quite like the Kia one, in 2WD it does 54mpg, can get the pram and the dogs in the back and it looks smart too.....oooh we can get a new one for the price of a 3 year old CRV and not look like a granny at the same time....how much for cash? lovely!" (agreed the above could be fairly specific)

Don't tar all drivers with the same brush just because of the Chelsea Tractor reputation!

[Dog Star]

That current Kia 4x4 looks really very nice as it is - and you really can't argue with a 7 year warranty.